Lexical Summary sustelló: To draw together, to contract, to wrap up, to shorten. Original Word: συστέλλω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance limit, shortenFrom sun and stello; to send (draw) together, i.e. Enwrap (enshroud a corpse for burial), contract (an interval) -- short, wind up. see GREEK sun see GREEK stello NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and stelló Definition to draw together, hence wrap up NASB Translation covered (1), shortened (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4958: συστέλλωσυστέλλω: 1 aorist συνέστειλα; perfect passive participle συνεσταλμένος; properly, to place together; a. to draw together, contact (τά ἱστία, Aristophanes ran. 999; τήν χεῖρα, Sir. 4:31; εἰς ὀλίγον συστέλλω, Theophrastus, de caus. plant. 1, 15, 1); to diminish (τήν δίαιταν, Isocrates, p. 280 d.; Dio Cassius, 39, 37); to shorten, abridge, passive, ὁ καιρός συνεσταλμένος ἐστιν, the time has been drawn together into a brief compass, is shortened, 1 Corinthians 7:29. b. to roll together, wrap up, wrap round with bandages, etc., to enshroud (τινα πεπλοις, Euripides, Troad. 378): τινα, i. e. his corpse (for burial), Acts 5:6. Strong’s Greek 4958 conveys the notion of drawing or bringing something tightly together. It can describe literal physical compression or figurative contraction, such as the shortening of an allotted period. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Acts 5:6 – “Then the young men stepped forward, wrapped up his body, carried him out, and buried him.” Contextual Significance Acts 5:6 1 Corinthians 7:29 Theological Implications Immediacy of Divine Purposes The term reinforces a biblical motif: God may suddenly curtail human opportunity. Whether through judgment (Acts 5) or the nearing consummation of history (1 Corinthians 7), believers are summoned to vigilance. Holiness and Community Witness In Acts, the wrapping of the body immediately follows a public sin. The church’s swift, orderly action protects communal holiness and testimony. The same verb that signals reverent burial also reminds readers that sin can abruptly truncate earthly prospects. Eschatological Urgency Paul’s statement that “the time is short” re-calibrates Christian living. Marriage, mourning, commerce, and pleasure become secondary to mission. The contraction of time presses believers toward faithful stewardship of every moment. Historical-Cultural Background Jewish Burial Customs First-century Jews typically buried a body before sundown. Wrapping with linen cloths prevented defilement and honored the deceased (compare John 11:44; John 19:40). Luke’s mention of young men carrying out Ananias aligns with these customs and illustrates orderly congregational life. Greco-Roman Thought on Time Philosophers often spoke of kairos (season) as an opportune moment. Paul appropriates this idea but anchors it in Christ’s imminent return. The compression of kairos intensifies the call to discipleship beyond secular concepts of fate. Practical Ministry Applications Pastoral Counseling Funeral Ministry Acts 5 models respectful handling of death without delay, combining realism about judgment with dignity toward the body. Modern pastors can draw upon this passage when teaching about Christian funerary practices and hope. Evangelism and Discipleship Paul’s compressed time motif fuels evangelistic passion. Ministry leaders can frame outreach as participation in a rapidly closing window of grace (compare Romans 13:11-12). Related Biblical Themes • The “night is nearly over” (Romans 13:12). Conclusion Strong’s Greek 4958 binds together two vivid scenes: a body swiftly wrapped for burial and a cosmic timetable collapsing toward Christ’s return. Whether illustrating the solemn consequences of sin or the urgency of gospel mission, the word calls believers to sober, active faith—living every hour as a gift that may soon be gathered up according to God’s sovereign plan. Englishman's Concordance Acts 5:6 V-AIA-3PGRK: οἱ νεώτεροι συνέστειλαν αὐτὸν καὶ NAS: got up and covered him up, and after carrying KJV: wound him up, and carried [him] out, INT: the younger [men] covered him and 1 Corinthians 7:29 V-RPM/P-NMS Strong's Greek 4958 |
    |